Linda Reynolds was sworn in as the Minister for Defence on 29 May 2019. Linda served for 29 years in the Australian Army as a Reserve Officer in a wide range of part and full time appointments. She was the first woman in the Australian Army Reserves to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier and was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. Linda was elected to the Australian Senate in 2014 and again in 2019. Portfolio responsibilities will be published once confirmed by the Ministers.
Alex Hawke was sworn in as the Assistant Defence Minister on 29 May 2019. Alex was elected at the 2007 election as the Federal Member for Mitchell, an electorate centred on the Hills Shire in Northwest Sydney. In September 2015, Alex was appointed as the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer. Following the 2016 Federal Election Alex was appointed the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Due to the establishment of the Home Affairs Portfolio in late 2017, Alex was appointed the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs. On 27 August 2018, Alex was officially sworn in as the Special Minister of State. Alex served as an Army Reserve Officer in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps from 1995 to 2000. Portfolio responsibilities will be published once confirmed by the Ministers.
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel
Darren Chester was sworn in for a second term as the Minister for Veterans’ and Defence Personnel on 29 May 2019. In his previous term, Darren also served as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac. In February 2016, Darren was appointed to Cabinet as the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. He served for three months on the backbench from December 2017 to February 2018. Darren is the member for Gippsland, Victoria and was first elected to Federal Parliament on June 26, 2008. Portfolio responsibilities will be published once confirmed by the Ministers.
Melissa Price was sworn in as the Minister for Defence Industry on 29 May 2019. Melissa was first elected to Parliament as the Member for Durack, the largest electorate in Australia, in 2013. During her first term, Melissa was appointed to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry, Indigenous Affairs, and Infrastructure and Communications, and the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia. Melissa was re-elected in July 2016 and in December 2017, she was elevated to her first outer ministerial appointment in the role of Assistant Minister for the Environment. She continued in this role until August 2018, when she was sworn in as Minister for the Environment. Portfolio responsibilities will be published once confirmed by the Ministers.
19 September 2019
Joint Media Release
13 September 2019
**E & OE Check against delivery**
4 August 2019
Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds hosted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense...
